Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) delivered a thirteenth consecutive annual production record as shipments in the June quarter increased to an annualised rate of 217m tons (100% basis). Total iron ore production by the group increased by 7% in the financial year to 170m tons.
WAIO production is expected to increase to about 207m tons (100% basis) iin the coming financial year. First production from the Jimblebar Mine expansion is now anticipated in the December quarter‚ ahead of schedule.
Escondida copper production increased by 28% to 1.1m tons (100% basis) in the current year as the average copper grade mined rose to 1.4% and milling rates improved. Total copper production by the group increased by 10% to 1.2m tons.
Queensland Coal production in the June quarter increased by 54% from the prior corresponding period to an annualised rate of 61m tons (100% basis). Total metallurgical coal production increased by 13% to 38m tons while total energy coal production increased by 3% to 73m tons.
However‚ the group said that despite a strong performance from Onshore US‚ extended maintenance and drilling delays at its non-operated Gulf of Mexico assets constrained petroleum production growth to 6% during the year.
A total of 236m barrels of oil equivalent were produced‚ with Onshore US delivering 99m barrels of oil equivalent in the period.
Total lead and silver production decreased by 11% and 9% respectively as lower average ore grades and plant throughput affected performance at Cannington (Australia).
Total zinc production increased by 14%‚ supported by higher average zinc grades and a full year contribution from the recently expanded concentrator at Antamina‚ while uranium production increased by 6% in the year as recoveries improved at Olympic Dam (Australia).
Total alumina production increased by 18% to a record 4.9m tons underpinned by increased production of the Efficiency and Growth project at Worsley (Australia).
Total aluminium production increased by 2% to 1.2m tons with production benefiting from a strong operating performance at BHP Billiton's Southern African smelters during the June quarter with Hillside (South Africa) achieving record quarterly production.
Total manganese ore production increased by 7% to a record 8.5m tons.
Manganese alloy volumes were largely unchanged from the previous financial year as the recovery in production at TEMCO (Australia) that followed the temporary suspension of operations was offset by the permanent closure of energy intensive silico-manganese production at Metalloys (South Africa) in January last year.
Total nickel production was in line with the last year's performance at Cerro Matoso (Colombia) and this was offset by planned maintenance at the Nickel West Kalgoorlie smelter and Kwinana refinery (both in Australia) during the year.
For more than two decades, I-Net Bridge has been one of South Africa’s preferred electronic providers of innovative solutions, data of the highest calibre, reliable platforms and excellent supporting systems. Our products include workstations, web applications and data feeds packaged with in-depth news and powerful analytical tools empowering clients to make meaningful decisions.
We pride ourselves on our wide variety of in-house skills, encompassing multiple platforms and applications. These skills enable us to not only function as a first class facility, but also design, implement and support all our client needs at a level that confirms I-Net Bridge a leader in its field.
Go to: http://www.inet.co.za
